President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov during a Cabinet of Ministers meeting on Monday said that on March 28, Turkmenistan held elections for members of a new constitutional body – Halk Maslahaty (People's Council).
The first elections of members of the Halk Maslahaty of Milli Geňeş (National Council) were held at the meetings of Halk Maslahaty of velayats and Ashgabat city by secret ballot and on the basis of indirect voting, the country’s official media reports.
In total, 231 members of the Halk Maslahaty from the velayats and Ashgabat city took part in the elections, which were registered by the relevant election commissions. Particularly, 37 electors in Ahal velayat, 39 electors in Balkan velayat, 39 electors in Dashoguz velayat, 38 electors in Lebap velayat, 39 electors in Mary velayat and 39 electors in Ashgabat city took part in the elections.
The Halk Maslahaty elections were held on a competitive basis – 112 candidates registered by the Central Election Commission were running for 48 seats, and they were given equal opportunities, according to the report. 2-3 candidates applied for one place.
On the basis of the Protocol on the results of voting of the election commissions, a total of 48 people were elected to the Halk Maslahaty of Milli Geňeş throughout Turkmenistan – 8 from each velayat and Ashgabat city.
According to the results, women comprise 27% of elected members of Milli Geňeş’s Halk Maslahaty chamber.
Voter turnout in the elections of members of the Halk Maslahaty was 98.7%.
The Constitutional Law "On Amendments and Additions to the Constitution of Turkmenistan" was signed on September 25, 2020 during the meeting of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan chaired by President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The document provides for the creation of a bicameral parliament of the country.
